Child Care Center Director

Childcare Center Director - Issaquah, WA

The Goddard School® – Issaquah, WA

Pay: 60K - 80K (Competitive salary, based on qualifications and experience, with performance-based bonus opportunities)

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person – Issaquah, WA

Job Description

The Goddard School® located in Issaquah, WA is seeking a passionate, experienced, and results-driven School Director to lead our school community and oversee daily operations. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished early childhood education professional who is ready to take ownership of school operations, inspire educators, build meaningful relationships with families, and drive continued school success.

The ideal candidate is a confident, proactive leader with a strong background in early childhood education, school administration, team development, and operational management. We are looking for someone who leads by example, demonstrates accountability, embraces continuous improvement, and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of education, safety, and family satisfaction.

At The Goddard School®, we believe learning goes beyond milestones. Our flexible, play-based approach encourages children's natural curiosity while supporting their academic, physical, and social-emotional growth.

As School Director, you will play a vital role in creating an environment where children thrive, educators feel supported, and families have confidence in the quality of care and education we provide.

Key Responsibilities

School Leadership & Daily Operations

• Oversee all aspects of daily school operations, ensuring a safe, organized, and high-quality learning environment.
• Lead and manage school administration, faculty, staffing, scheduling, and classroom operations.
• Ensure compliance with Washington State childcare licensing regulations (WACs), DCYF requirements, and Goddard School standards.
• Maintain appropriate staffing ratios, classroom coverage, and operational efficiency.
• Establish clear expectations, promote accountability, and implement consistent operational procedures.
• Collaborate with school ownership and regional leadership to achieve operational and strategic goals.

Faculty Leadership & Development

• Recruit, onboard, train, mentor, and retain qualified early childhood educators.
• Provide ongoing coaching, constructive feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct regular classroom observations, performance evaluations, and faculty check-ins.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and supportive workplace culture.
• Address employee concerns professionally while maintaining clear expectations and accountability.
• Build a strong leadership team that promotes communication, consistency, and continuous improvement.

Educational Excellence & Quality Assurance

• Ensure the successful implementation of The Goddard School's educational programs and curriculum.
• Monitor classroom quality, developmentally appropriate practices, and child engagement.
• Support teachers in implementing engaging, play-based learning experiences.
• Maintain high standards for classroom environments, curriculum documentation, and child development assessments.
• Lead ongoing quality assurance initiatives and school improvement efforts.
• Ensure classrooms consistently meet or exceed licensing and franchise quality standards.

Family Engagement & Enrollment Growth

• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with current and prospective families.
• Oversee enrollment efforts, school tours, family follow-ups, and retention strategies.
• Partner with the administrative team to maintain enrollment goals and support sustainable school growth.
• Address family questions, concerns, and feedback promptly and professionally.
• Develop initiatives that strengthen family engagement, satisfaction, and community involvement.
• Represent the school professionally within the Issaquah community.

Business & Administrative Management

• Support school financial performance through enrollment management, staffing efficiency, and responsible resource allocation.
• Monitor key performance indicators, including enrollment, retention, staffing, family satisfaction, and quality assurance.
• Oversee administrative processes, school records, compliance documentation, and operational reporting.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure administrative deadlines are consistently met.
• Identify opportunities to improve school systems, communication, and operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with ownership to implement strategies that support the school's long-term success.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Previous leadership or management experience in a licensed childcare center, preschool, or early childhood education setting.
• Strong understanding of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate educational practices.
• Knowledge of Washington State childcare licensing requirements and regulations.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build positive relationships with faculty, families, and leadership.
• Ability to meet Washington State licensing qualifications for a childcare center director.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of leadership or supervisory experience in early childhood education.
• Experience managing a large childcare center or multiple classrooms.
• Proven success in staff development, retention, enrollment growth, and operational improvement.
• Experience with school budgeting, financial management, and performance metrics.
• Familiarity with The Goddard School's educational philosophy, curriculum, and quality assurance standards.
• Experience leading teams through organizational growth and continuous improvement.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation with performance-based bonus opportunities
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Employee childcare discounts
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities
• State-of-the-art facilities and educational resources
• Collaborative and supportive leadership environment
• Opportunities for long-term professional advancement
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children, families, and educator

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking a leader who is more than an administrator. Our ideal School Director is someone who is passionate about early childhood education, takes initiative, leads with integrity, and is motivated to build a thriving school community.

You should be comfortable making decisions, solving challenges, coaching educators, and maintaining high expectations while fostering a culture of respect, teamwork, and positivity.

If you are an experienced early childhood leader who is passionate about educational excellence, team development, and school growth, we would love to hear from you!

Join The Goddard School® of Issaquah and help us create an exceptional experience for every child, family, and educator.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person – Issaquah, WA

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Benefits:

Salary : $60,000 - $80,000